Rte. 139 stretch in Randolph gets a closer look with Mazzeo 2020 plan

The town is undertaking initiative to breathe new life into Mazzeo Drive.

By Lisa Kashinsky

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

By Lisa Kashinsky

Posted Sep. 22, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 22, 2013 at 10:03 PM

By Lisa Kashinsky

Posted Sep. 22, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 22, 2013 at 10:03 PM

Randolph

» Social News

The town is undertaking initiative to breathe new life into Mazzeo Drive.

The town of Randolph announced Friday, Sept. 20, that it launched Mazzeo 2020, an effort to bring new commercial tax revenue and attract more jobs to Mazzeo Drive, part of Route 139.

“The goal here is to bring new businesses to Randolph. It’s important for the town to attract new job opportunities for our residents, and to attract more tax revenue to fund programs that are critical to our community,” said Town Manager David Murphy.

Currently, there is “undeveloped or underdeveloped” land on Route 139 and there is not a “substantial tax base,” Murphy said.

Mazzeo 2020 will look to bring new commercial tax revenue in order to take pressure off existing taxpayers in the town.

The town is also encouraging residents to add their input to the plans through two visioning sessions.

The first will take place Saturday, Sept. 28, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the James M. Hurley Senior & Veterans Center, 16 Fencourt Ave. The second will take place Wednesday, Oct. 2, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Chapin Hall on the second floor of the Randolph Town Hall, 41 South Main St.

The project also will be showcased at events around the community, including the Literacy Jamboree Saturday, Sept. 21., from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the corner of North and Pleasant streets, according to a press release from the town.

Along with meetings, the town also launched a Mazzeo 2020 website, www.mazzeo2020.com, for residents to track news, events and documents pertaining to the project.

“It is critical that residents and local businesses participate in this process to make the plan the best it can be,” said Randolph Town Planner Michelle Tyler. “We posted a brief community survey online today and we hope that people will begin participating with a few easy clicks. We are very excited about this project and we hope that the community will be too.”

Murphy said he wants to see results as soon as possible for the project.

“This project will not result in just another plan that will collect dust on a shelf, but we expect a concrete plan with specific action steps that the town can follow to start making a difference,” he said.

Murphy said he hopes to begin implementing recommendations from consultants by late 2013.

“This has the potential to be a game-changer for Randolph,” he said. “We want to be the forefront of the next big thing of economic development and reflect the unique character of the community.